Boats have been sold at the Rockingham Rotary’s annual auction before, but a 28-foot commercial shrimp boat is unusual.

A Rockingham man recently donated one for this year’s auction and barbecue fundraiser.

The Rotary Club’s 55th annual auction and barbecue is set for Nov. 2 at the Rockingham National Guard Armory, which was recently renamed the Walter Crowe Readiness Center. The money goes to local charities.

Retired veteran Ed O’Neal explained he bought the 1999 model shrimp boat with 200-horsepower Evinrude saltwater engine, but hasn’t used it recently due to the injuries he sustained in the service. Thus, he was looking to get rid of it.

“This is probably the best cause I can think of,” O’Neal said Thursday. “They help a lot of people in the county.”

Along with the boat, Rotary member and Rockingham Police Chief Robert Voorhees said there is a trailer and two 50-foot shrimp nets.

“This ship is ocean-worthy and ready to go,” Voorhees said. “This is a commercial shrimp boat, so if anybody wants to get into the shrimp business, that’s exactly what they can do.”

Voorhees is collecting material donations for the auction, and said an estimate of the boat put it at about $20,000, with motor and trailer.

“This will be auctioned Nov. 2, along with various other items, like used cars and other things,” Voorhees said. “All of the money raised stays right here in Richmond County, and there’s no administration fees so all of it goes straight to our local charities.”

At last year’s auction, the Rotary Club raised about $53,000, which was distributed to local charities in two sessions in June.

More than two dozen local charities get donations from the money raised in individual checks ranging from $800 to $5,000.

Among these were FirstHealth Richmond Memorial, the Richmond County Partnership for Children, Roberdel and Sandhills children’s centers, Richmond Community College, Richmond Community Theatre, Our Daily Bread Food Ministry, Richmond County Crimestoppers, First Presbyterian Church, Backpack Pals of Richmond County, The McLaurin Center, East Rockingham Fire Department and others. Anyone with any item of value they’d like to donate to the auction is encouraged to call Voorhees at (910) 206-2538.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.